US senator Bernie Sanders welcomed to Cork by Lord Mayor Dan Boyle

The Lord Mayor of Cork has welcomed US senator Bernie Sanders to Cork last night, while gently admonishing the veteran progressive politician for not visiting before.

The senior senator for the state of Vermont and the longest-serving independent in US congressional history, is in Cork with his Irish-American wife, Jane O’Meara Sanders, who has Cork connections.

Mr Sanders and Ms O’Meara Sanders were in Cork for a Siptu event in Connolly Hall, and they called over to City Hall to sign the distinguished visitors’ book in the Lord Mayor’s chambers.

The Lord Mayor, Chicago native and Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, said it was an honour to welcome Mr Sanders to Cork, but he teased the US senator for not having got around to visiting until now.

“He spoke about US and international politics, touching as well on the need to challenge divisive narratives being promoted online,” Mr Boyle said.

“It was an honour to welcome him to Cork, but I did admonish him lightly for not coming here before now. I know that his wife Jane has family connections here in Cork, having family around the Youghal area.” 

Labour Party councillor Ciara O’Connor said Mr Sanders had spoken very eloquently and he was “an inspiration”.

Mr Sanders has twice sought the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination, in 2016 and in 2020. He lost out to Hillary Clinton in 2016, and to Joe Biden in 2020.

Revered by liberals as the leader of the US progressive movement, Mr Sanders even drew a backhanded compliment from US president Donald J Trump recently.

“Bernie’s probably the best they have,” the 78-year-old Mr Trump said of the 83-year-old Mr Sanders. “By the way, he’s about seven years older than me or more, eight years older. One thing I got to give him credit-- he’s a lunatic but he’s still pretty sharp.”